Four, including soldier, killed in Benue as cult violence escalates

• Tragic cult violence grips Makurdi's North Bank as four people, including a soldier, lose their lives in separate attacks
• Eyewitnesses reveal innocent victims caught in the crossfire of escalating clashes between rival cult groups
• Authorities confirm heightened security measures as residents call for decisive action to end the violence

Four individuals, including a soldier, lost their lives in suspected cult-related violence in the North Bank area of Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, on Thursday and Friday nights.

The tragic incidents highlight the escalating tension in the suburb, which has seen an uptick in clashes among rival cult groups in recent weeks.

Soldier, Three Others Lose Their Lives in an Attack by Suspected Cultists in Benue
Source: Original

Eyewitness accounts reveal that the victims of Friday’s attack, including two young men, were not affiliated with any cult.

Instead, they were reportedly innocent casualties of a rampage carried out by suspected cultists.

Eyewitness and Local Vigilante Account

Nura Umar, Chairman of the Vigilante Group known as Operation Shara in North Bank, confirmed the fatalities in two separate attacks. Speaking about the Friday incident, Umar disclosed:

“These cultists wreaked havoc yesterday night (Friday) around 10-11pm; a soldier and two boys were killed. It happened around the BIPC. Those boys (deceased) were not cultists. Those who shot them were suspected to be cultists.”

Umar also noted that a suspected cultist was killed on Thursday night in his residence.

Police Confirmation and Response

The Benue State Police Command confirmed cult activities in the North Bank area but reported a lower casualty count. Police spokesperson Catherine Anene stated:

“Yes, there were cult activities in North Bank, but I am aware of one person killed, a young civilian.”

Anene added that additional security operatives have been deployed to the area to curb further violence.

DPO shot dead at military checkpoint in Zamfara

Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that Halliru Liman, divisional police officer (DPO) of Wasagu Division of the police in Kebbi state, is dead.

According to reports making the round on Thursday, August 29, Liman died when he was reportedly shot dead by a soldier at a checkpoint in Zamfara state.

Liman was killed at a checkpoint in neighbouring Zamfara state on Wednesday morning, said a police spokesman in the state, Yazid Abubakar.

Source: Legit.ng